Photo Fun at Disneyland and #DisneySMMoms

Photo Fun at Disneyland and #DisneySMMoms

It’s no secret that I’m a Disney fan. In fact, it runs in the family. But, you probably knew that already. What’s been so much fun is that it seems now more than ever so many of our many Disney paths are coming together. I can’t help but envision the Hub at Disneyland. In case you don’t know that story, all roads within Disneyland lead to the hub. Yep. It feels kinda like that. Disney people, places, events, opportunities have been popping up like hidden Mickeys. It feels, in a word, magical.

For one thing, I’m really looking forward to getting to share my passion for photography at the soon-coming Disney Social Media Moms On the Road Celebration in Phoenix.  I honestly can’t think of two things that go together any better than photography and Disney. Which got me thinking. What is it about Disney (more specifically the Disney Parks) that makes it so much fun to get ridiculously snap happy? Let’s see…the key word here has got to be happy. The Disney Parks are quite simply, my family’s happy place.

Being So Cal natives (yes, 99% of my family and extended family lives here) certainly works to our advantage when it comes to visiting the Disney Parks. Which means, we’re there a lot. And we’re taking more pictures than we know what to do with. And why not? Nothing could be more fun to capture than magic and make-believe! Am I right?

To celebrate the kick-off of the Disney Social Media Moms On the Road Events this summer, I thought I’d share a few of my Favorite Phone Photographs from Disneyland, plus a few words on the shots that might inspire you to shoot more on your next visit! Bonus: Over at Disney Sisters, we’re sharing phone photos captured at Disney California Adventure. Just because, we love both parks so much!

The Iconic Shot

Sleeping Beauty's Castle at Disneyland

True, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle has been photographed a gazillion times but you gotta get the shot! I have noticed that shooting it almost every visit, there are always external variables that change the way it looks. In this case, I was lucky to have some interesting clouds to add some drama. Capturing it from inside of Fantasy Land (instead of from Main Street) brings a little something unique.

On a Ride

Autopia Ride at Disneyland

It’s not always easy to capture a moving target. In other words, ride shots aren’t always that easy. In this case, we pulled up at the end of riding Autopia, waiting in the traffic (it is So Cal afterall) and as the car began a slight curve, I was able to call to my daughter so she’d peek her head out. The cars were still so I could capture a prefect moment of her very first solo-ride on Autopia. Focusing on her happy face turned what could have been a regular snapshot into something a little more special.

Sweet Treats

Dole Whip at Disneyland Park

After all these years of visiting Disneyland, I can’t recall ever getting a Dole Whip. That was, until recently. Now, I’m hooked.  When it comes to capturing a shot like this, I wanted the main focus to be the treat itself (which it is because of the cropping) but my favorite part of the shot is my daughter’s smirk. So began our Dole Whip love affair.

Timeless

Main Street Disneyland

Rarely would you consider processing pictures from a trip to Disneyland into Black & White but in this case, the monochromatic pallet made for some good old fashioned Disney magic. My daughter’s high tops against the texture of the Main Street grate helped up the classic factor.

 

Night Shots

King Arthur Carrousel at Disneyland Park

Disneyland at night is fill of wonder.  The way the park is lit up at night will make anyone a believer. I have such good luck shooting night shots with my iPhone, I never hesitate trying my hand at capturing a magical glow. From the glow of dusk to the darkness of late night, photos of Disneyland at night are some of my all time favorites. In this case, I choose to blur the lights with the selective focus tool in Instagram. It gave it just the effect I was after.

Giveaway time:

Phone Photography Project givaway

Now for some more fun! All you need to do is leave a comment here on this post, sharing your favorite Disney photo subject  (could be anything) and you’ll be entered in a random drawing to win a spot in the online summer photo class The Phone Photography Project and a copy of Elevate the Everyday: A Photographic Guide to Motherhood. If you love taking pictures as much as I do, you will LOVE the class and the book.

You have until Sunday 6/8 midnight PT to enter. I’ll announce winner on Monday. YAY!

I did mention that Disney Sisters are sharing photos too, right? Go check them out. They’re rad. My sisters and their pictures!

 

Updated 6/10: Congratulations Stephanie! You won the spot in class and a copy of Elevate the Everyday!

17 Comments
  • anngeedee
    Posted at 20:05h, 03 June Reply

    We are heading to Disneyworld in t-minus 2 days!! (But please don’t tell my kids because it’s a total surprise.) I’m hoping for the quintessential princess shot of my daughter in front of the castle. Possibly shot as she pauses in awe at the beauty of it all?

  • Lisa Mueller
    Posted at 20:26h, 03 June Reply

    Looking forward to going to Disneyland next month and using these ideas for some great pictures! Can’t wait! Thanks for sharing some great ideas!

  • Suebob
    Posted at 21:01h, 03 June Reply

    I love shots of people screaming on rollercoasters!

  • Mary
    Posted at 06:59h, 05 June Reply

    I’ll never forget the most awkward and funniest family photo taken as we were about to hit the water at the Jurassic Park Ride. We all looked so silly with our ponchos.

  • Julie
    Posted at 13:08h, 05 June Reply

    Ferris wheels.

  • Stephanie
    Posted at 09:42h, 06 June Reply

    The Court of Angels!

  • Tiffany | Peanut Blossom
    Posted at 10:11h, 06 June Reply

    My favorite Disney shot so far is my (at the time) 2 year old with her very first pair of mouse ears clutching a brand new Daisy stuffed toy while she walks down Main Street. Shot from behind so I can see her name embroidered on the back. I feel mouse ears should be mandatory!!

  • Camille Dashana Wall
    Posted at 10:36h, 06 June Reply

    I always have to get a shot of the castle, Partners statue, and usually my gluten free cheeseburger from Hungry Bear! Haha! Now I’m hungry thinking about it 🙂

  • Dawn Cullo
    Posted at 10:51h, 06 June Reply

    My favorite photo spot is in front of the castle and I like to take a family picture every time we go so I can compare it each time to see how much the kiddos have grown and we have changed. I also like to take pictures in Fantasyland, there is just something so sweet about being in there.

  • Jenn Belden
    Posted at 11:28h, 06 June Reply

    He castle is mandatory and it’s one that I always work hard to get a good shot of. I’m ready to go back…love the photos!

  • Michelle Murry
    Posted at 16:11h, 07 June Reply

    I love taking pics of Sleeping Beauty’s castle. But the favorite one I took was of the Mark Twain at night time.

  • Jen Allo
    Posted at 16:37h, 07 June Reply

    My family on the Tea Cups. We’re going to Disneyland tomorrow. ❤

  • Kathryn
    Posted at 20:44h, 07 June Reply

    This is such a fun post and, as always, full of wonderful and inspiring photos. Thanks Tracey. As for my favorite Disney photo subject, I would like to go to Disney, take a picture of my daughter smiling in clear focus and the colorful background of Disney slightly out of focus. I’d also like a picture of my feet standing on Disney ground. And I’d like to go and be surprised and inspired by something I don’t expect to take a picture. So those are (at the moment) my favorite Disney photo subjects. 🙂

  • Laura BC
    Posted at 19:04h, 08 June Reply

    We celebrated spring break at Disney World. So many pictures of the castle – many sides, different light. And always trying to get the awe / excitement in the little ones’ faces with enough context so we’ll remember why .

  • Gayle Turner
    Posted at 17:45h, 10 June Reply

    Our favorite spot besides the castle of course, is the backside of Grizzly by the waterfall. I’ve photographed my son there every year since Disney California Adventure Park opened

  • Tracey
    Posted at 18:21h, 10 June Reply

    Thank you everyone for you comments! I love hearing about your Disney photo adventures. : )

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    Posted at 09:18h, 15 April Reply

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